Mara Lezama Unveils Quintana Roo Sustainable Tourism Master Plan Through 2050

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama speaks at the presentation of the 2050 Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in Cancún

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa led the official presentation of the Quintana Roo 2050 Sustainable Tourism Master Plan and handed the 2026 State Tourism Prize to Pedro Moncada Jiménez, director of the state’s Interinstitutional Center for Applied Research (CIIAQROO), on the eve of World Tourism Day.

“We do not improvise. We believe in data and in planning, and we are very clear about the direction we want for tourism — to become a benchmark for regenerative tourism, with wellbeing and shared prosperity for every person in Quintana Roo,” Lezama said at the event, held at Universidad Anáhuac.

State Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra described the plan as a long-term strategic instrument that sets out a roadmap for the state’s tourism development.

“Today we are presenting part of the results with a vision aligned toward 2050, because we do not want government actions to translate only into an immediate present, but to leave a legacy for new generations, so that this great state keeps developing in the best possible way in tourism,” he said.

Built With Roughly 700 Participants

Officials updated the master plan through a collaborative governance process involving roughly 700 people from the public, private, academic and environmental sectors, along with representatives of local communities, women, men and young people, who helped build a shared vision with a horizon of 2050.

Andrés Aguilar Becerril, deputy secretary of Planning, Public Policies and Governing Bodies at the state Tourism Department (SEDETUR), said the document lays out a comprehensive strategy built on four main pillars:

  • Environmental management and climate change
  • Territorial planning and carrying capacity
  • Shared social prosperity
  • Alignment with global agendas, incorporating criteria from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The State Tourism Prize, which recognizes significant contributions to tourism development, promotion, sustainability and safety, as well as initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to the people of Quintana Roo, went to Moncada Jiménez, who heads CIIAQROO.

Also attending were Verónica Lezama Espinosa, honorary president of the DIF Quintana Roo family services agency; Benito Juárez Mayor Ana Paty Peralta; and Euterpe Gutiérrez Valasis, a state lawmaker who chairs the Tourism and International Affairs Commission in the State Congress.

Discover more from Riviera Maya News

Sign up to receive a summary of the best news in your inbox, every day.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx